Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B-pesticides Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes最新文献

Pesticides perform a vital role in delivering profitable agriculture and global food security, but concerns remain with respect to impacts on the environment and human health. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for pragmatic techniques to assist pesticide policy development, evaluation, and communication. In 2020, the Danish Pesticide Load Indicator was applied to the UK, identifying several deficiencies with respect to UK environmental conditions and regulatory processes. The aim of this study was to address these deficiencies and develop the PLI methodology to better meet the needs of UK policy. A key decision was not to aggregate the individual load metrics into a single index, but to present the results as a suite of 20 metrics (four environmental fate, 16 ecotoxicity). Three examples are provided, highlighting how this approach reveals impacts on individual taxa and potential tradeoffs of pesticide withdrawals (or other policy decisions) which would have been hidden by aggregation. This presents additional communication challenges, but these are outweighed by a richer picture, and many challenges can be overcome with modern technology (e.g. online indicator dashboards). Further developments are expected including the addition of other taxa as data becomes available; and improvements for calculating uncertainty in pesticide usage data.

Cobweb disease (CBD) is currently one of the major problems in mushroom crops. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of several chemical fungicides (metrafenone, prochloraz-Mn and fluxapyroxad) and Bacillus-based products for the control of CBD in artificially inoculated mushroom crops, and the phytotoxic effect on mushroom productivity in a mushroom cropping trial without inoculation. The reduction in disease incidence obtained after application of prochloraz-Mn was around 90%, while the reduction after the three Bacillus-based treatments was less than 30%. For the fungicides metrafenone and fluxapyroxad, reductions of 40% and 65% were reported, respectively. Moreover, the effect of these products on mushroom productivity showed that the application of fluxapyroxad was related to a significant decreasing in production in both non-inoculated and inoculated trials, with a strong fungitoxic effect at the first flush. Besides, the in vitro resistance levels of Cladobotryum isolates to prochloraz-Mn and metrafenone have been evaluated. The in vitro tolerance to metrafenone of Cladobotryum isolates has been reported, while prochloraz-Mn could still be considered a useful fungicide against CBD. Further studies could be carried out to improve CBD control bio-methods.

Permethrin is a pyrethroid pesticide used widely in public health for pest control to prevent people from diseases spread by mosquitoes. However, exposure to permethrin may cause adverse health effects, including possible DNA damage. Study aims to assess the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of permethrin as an active ingredient and compare it with its microencapsulated formulation. HepG2 human cell line was utilized to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity after 1 h exposure to different doses of the permethrin active ingredient and its microencapsulated formulation in vitro. We evaluated cytotoxicity using propidium iodide staining; DNA damage was detected by alkaline comet assay. Our results show that the active ingredient was cytotoxic at 2,300 µM, while the microencapsulated formulation exerted no cytotoxicity in the examined concentration range. The microencapsulated formulation induced significant DNA damage compared to the control at 100 µM for tail DNA% (p = 0.01), and at 1000 µM for tail length (p = 0.03) and tail moment (p = 0.01). Although DNA damage was also induced by the active ingredient, it did not reach statistical significance. The findings suggest that the microencapsulated formulation demonstrates genotoxic properties; however, due to the multi-component nature of the commercial product, these effects cannot be attributed to permethrin alone.

To assess the contamination of agricultural soils by heavy metals (HMs) in the Kebir-Rhumel basin of northeastern Algeria, soil samples from a depth of 0-20 cm were analyzed for metal concentration (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn). Pollution levels and ecological risks were evaluated using several indices, including the contamination factor (C_f), contamination degree (C_d), ecological risk factor (Er) and potential ecological risk index (PERI). These metrics specifically targeted soils irrigated with river water. Human health risks were assessed using the hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) indices based on ingestion exposure pathways for adults and children. The concentration of heavy metals in the agricultural soils of the Kebir-Rhumel basin followed this order: Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd. The average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn were 0.84, 60.83, 39.26, 58.01, and 93.71 µg.g^-1, respectively. Notably, pollution levels of Pb, Cd, and Cu were particularly concerning with concentrations exceeding background levels at 85%, 75% and 70% of sampling sites, respectively. Health risk assessments indicated that the average hazard index (HI) and hazard quotient (HQ) values were below 1. However, the carcinogenic risk (CR) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for Cd, Cr, and Pb were higher for children compared to adults. TCR mean values were about 4.93E - 05 and 4.61E - 04 for both adults and children, with chromium identified as the primary contributor to carcinogenic risk. Both CR and TCR exceeded the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold of 1.0E - 04, potentially posing carcinogenic risks through extended exposition. Overall, these findings highlight significant concerns regarding soil quality in this region. This study can guide the development of effective strategies for monitoring, mitigating and managing the levels of heavy metals in agricultural soils, thereby ensuring the safeguarding of the human health.

In the burndown of Conyza spp., non selective herbicides are recurrent in soybean pre-sowing, and it is necessary to respect the time interval between the application of these products and the sowing of the crop, known as the plant back. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate soybean phytotoxicity resulting from the application of postemergence herbicides commonly used for the control of Conyza spp., applied at different intervals between herbicide application and soybean sowing. A field experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, with four replicates, in a 6 × 4  +  2 factorial design, with the following herbicides applied: halauxifen + diclosulam (6.3 g ae ha ^-1 + 31.9 g ai ha ^-1); triclopyr (960 ae ha ^-1); fluroxypyr + clethodim (300 ae ha ^-1 + 210 g ai ha ^-1); atrazine + mesotrione (500  + 50 g ai ha ^-1); dicamba (480 ae ha ^-1); and imazapic + imazapir (78.75 + 26.25 g ai ha ^-1) at 0, 15, 30 and 45 days before soybean sowing (DBS). At 0 DBS, soybean phytotoxicities close to 70, 40 and 10% were observed for dicamba, atrazine + mesotrione and imazapic + imazapyr, respectively. For the intervals of 15, 30 and 45 DBS, percentages close to 50, 15 and 6% phytotoxicity were observed in soybean after the application of dicamba. For the other treatments and time intervals between herbicide application and soybean sowing, no significant phytotoxic effects were observed. However, notably, the herbicides dicamba and imazapic + imazapyr resulted in a significant reduction in soybean yield at the tested intervals. In this sense, dicamba was the herbicide that caused the most damage to the crop, regardless of the period, and the safest herbicide for the crop was fluroxypyr + clethodim, with a low phytotoxicity index at 0 days.

This study investigated the individual and combined toxicological effects of lead (Pb) and endosulfan on Labeo rohita fingerlings following a 28-day sublethal exposure. Seven experimental groups were established, including control, low and high concentrations of Pb and endosulfan, and their respective combinations. Hematological, biochemical, neurotoxic, tissue bioaccumulation, and genotoxic biomarkers were assessed. Results revealed significant hematological disturbances characterized by reductions in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, alongside elevated white blood cell counts. Biochemical analyses showed hyperglycemia, hypoproteinemia, dyslipidemia, increased creatinine and urea levels, and marked elevation of hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP). Neurotoxicity was evident through significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, with the greatest suppression observed under combined high-dose exposure. Tissue analysis demonstrated substantial accumulation of Pb and endosulfan in gill, liver, and kidney tissues, with co-exposure resulting in up to 1.7-fold higher accumulation than individual treatments. Genotoxicity assessment using the comet assay revealed pronounced DNA damage, with damaged erythrocytes exceeding 65% and a threefold increase in genetic damage index in the combined high-dose group. Two-way ANOVA confirmed significant Pb × endosulfan interactions, highlighting synergistic toxicity. Overall, the findings underscore the heightened ecological and food safety risks associated with concurrent heavy metal and pesticide contamination in freshwater ecosystems.

Heavy metal contamination in foods is a global concern as mechanized processing increasingly replaces traditional methods. This study assessed the contribution of mechanical disk grinding process to heavy metal contamination in kokonte flour, a cassava-based staple in Navrongo, Ghana, and evaluated the associated chronic non-carcinogenic health risks. Flours produced using mortar and pestle (control) and mechanical disk grinders were analyzed for Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ni using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry after aqua regia digestion. Process-related heavy metal enrichment was evaluated using the contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI), while chronic non-carcinogenic risk was assessed using the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). Concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ni were higher (P < 0.05) in mechanically ground samples (0.00752-50.63 mg/kg) compared with control (0.003935-37.17 mg/kg). CF values (1.36-1.91) indicated moderate contamination, and a PLI of 1.6 confirmed cumulative effects from disk grinding. All HQ values and the overall HI (0.380) were below 1, suggesting no significant chronic non-carcinogenic health risk. Findings show that the mechanical disk grinding process moderately increases heavy metal levels in kokonte flour and highlight the need for food-grade grinder components, proper maintenance, and monitoring to enhance food safety.

This study aimed to compare lung function between farmers with and without post-COVID-19 and to examine the correlations between lung function parameters and participant characteristics. Eighty-four farmers were recruited and divided into two groups: those without a history of COVID-19 and those with post-COVID-19. Lung function, upper limb muscle strength, and muscular endurance were assessed using spirometry, hand grip strength, and the 1-min sit to stand test (1STS), respectively. There were no significant differences in demographic data between groups (P > 0.05). Farmers without post-COVID-19 showed significantly higher handgrip strength, better 1STS performance, and higher FEV1% predicted compared to those with post-COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Exercise behavior was positively correlated with FVC% predicted and PEFR% predicted, while 1STS performance was also significantly associated with PEFR% predicted (P < 0.05). Farmers with post-COVID-19 showed reduced muscle strength, lower limb endurance, and decreased FEV1% predicted compared to those without post-COVID-19, indicating persistent impacts on lung function and physical performance. Exercise behavior and lower limb endurance were positively associated with lung function, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining respiratory health, especially in individuals recovering from COVID-19.

To mitigate the environmental pollution caused by ammonia volatilization during livestock manure composting, this study investigated the effects of different dosages of water-retaining agent (CK: 0 g/m³; T1: 100 g/m³; T2: 200 g/m³; T3: 300 g/m³; T4: 400 g/m³; T5: 500 g/m³) on nitrogen transformation and ammonia emissions in cattle manure windrow composting. The results showed that the water-retaining agent exhibited a significant dosage-dependent effect: appropriate dosages (T1-T3) could retain water, stabilize the microenvironment for nitrifying bacteria, promote the conversion of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen, and reduce ammonia volatilization. Among these treatments, the T3 treatment achieved the optimal effect; compared with CK, the final moisture content increased by 16.97%, the nitrate nitrogen content increased by 22.03%, the ammonia volatilization decreased by 15.06%, and the total nitrogen loss rate decreased by 10.32%. In contrast, excessive dosages (T4-T5) prolonged the thermophilic phase of composting, inhibited the activity of nitrifying bacteria, leading to increased ammonia volatilization (12.61% and 38.72% higher than CK, respectively) and intensified total nitrogen loss. This study clarified the water-retention and nitrogen-fixation mechanism of the water-retaining agent, identified its optimal dosage, and provided a theoretical basis and technical support for the clean composting of livestock manure and efficient nitrogen retention.